JP7335689B2 - Chair - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a chair with a gas cylinder.

2. Description of the Related Art In chairs, gas cylinders are used for raising and lowering the seat and controlling the locking of the backrest. In particular, a gas cylinder is indispensable as a leg support in a swivel chair whose seat moves up and down. The gas cylinder is equipped with a push valve (valve) that maintains the locked state, and the push valve is operated by the operating means. The operation member is operated around.

As the operating means of the push valve, in general, it is often provided with a rotating lever that is connected to the seat or the side surface of the seat outer shell that supports the seat and is pulled upward. There are cases where the force is transmitted to the push valve by a rigid member such as a wire or sheet metal product (for example, Patent Document 1), and where the force is transmitted to the push valve by a wire inserted through a tube (for example, Patent Document 2). In the case of a simple structure, there is one in which a single operating member made of wire or sheet metal is formed with a finger hook portion and a pushing portion.

JP 2008-99837 A JP-A-08-266363

In the configuration having a rotating lever as in the past, there is a problem that the structure is complicated and it is difficult to reduce the cost, and there is a problem that the freedom of design is reduced because the arrangement position of the members is restricted.

The present invention is made to improve such a situation.

The present invention includes various configurations, typical examples of which are specified in each claim. Of these, the invention of claim 1 is
"A base fixed to the upper end of a leg strut consisting of a gas cylinder, a seat outer shell fixed to the base, a seat inner shell supported by the seat outer shell, and a lock for the gas cylinder. and an operation means for releasing,
The operation means includes a bendable belt-like operation member having a handle portion exposed to the outside of the seat outer shell, and an interlocking member that unlocks the gas cylinder by pulling the operation member. cage,
A portion of the operating member excluding the handle portion is disposed between the seat inner shell and the seat outer shell, and the handle portion is drawn out from a through hole provided in the seat outer shell. a chair with
In the seat outer shell, as the interlocking member, a vertically rotatable pushing member for pushing the push valve of the leg support and a relay link body horizontally rotatable on the upper surface of the seat outer shell are arranged. the relay link body and the pushing member are connected by a wire so that the pushing member pushes the push valve when the relay link body is horizontally rotated in one direction,
In addition, the operation member and the wire are in a crossed posture in a plan view, and the relay link body and the operation member are arranged so that the relay link body rotates in one direction when the operation member is pulled. are connected.”
It is configured. In addition, in the present invention, the handle portion of the operating member exposed outside the seat may be constituted by an auxiliary member such as a ring that makes it easy for a person to put his or her finger on it.

The invention of claim 2 is
" The operating member is formed into a webbing by a flexible woven or knitted fabric."
configuration is adopted.

The invention of claim 3 is, in claim 1 or 2 ,
"The handle portion of the operating member is formed into a ring portion into which a person can insert his or her finger."
It is configured.

In the present invention, since the operating member is made of a bendable and deformable material, a rotating lever is not required, and a person directly pulls the operating member to unlock or lock the gas cylinder. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the operation mechanism of the gas cylinder and contribute to cost reduction. In addition, since it can be made into a novel shape that has never existed before, it can contribute to the improvement of commercial value as a chair with excellent aesthetic sense. In addition, since no lever is required and there are few restrictions on the arrangement position of the operating member, the freedom of design is high.

In addition, conventional levers are designed to be turned upward to release the lock, but the operation member of the present invention can release the lock of the gas cylinder by applying tension whether it is pulled upward or downward. Therefore, the pulling mode can be selected according to the preference of the seated person. Therefore, there is also the advantage that it is possible to enrich the operation mode and improve usability.

The operating member can be made of various materials and shaped into various shapes. However, if it is formed in a belt-like shape from a woven or knitted fabric as in claim 2, it is advantageous in terms of cost because a commercially available tough tape can be used. is. In addition, the woven or knitted fabric has a good appearance and is excellent in softness when pulled by hand. Furthermore, the obi cord can be firmly grasped, so operability is also excellent. Therefore, it is suitable as a specific example of the present invention.

Also, it can be easily inserted into a through hole formed in the seat outer shell. Furthermore, since the posture is held by the through holes , the movement of the interlocking member can be ensured without being twisted by being pulled. Since it is sufficient to provide a through hole as a means for supporting the operating member, the structure is also simple.

The invention of the present application is applied to the operating means of a gas cylinder as a leg strut, and the pushing body, the wire, and the relay link function as interlocking members. Since the wire and the operating member are only pulled in a straight line, the movement of the operating member can be accurately transmitted to the movement of the pushing member. Therefore, movement can be ensured and high quality can be ensured.

In addition, in the present invention , the other end of the operating member hangs downward from the through hole provided in the seat outer shell. can be placed. Therefore, it can surely contribute to the simplification of the structure . Further, as described above, the pushing member can be rotated by pulling the operating member upward or downward, which is convenient.

When the handle portion of the operating member is formed in the ring portion as in claim 3 , the fingertip can be inserted into the ring portion and pulled, or the relay link body can be firmly grasped and pulled, thereby improving operability. can.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a chair, (A) is a front perspective view, (B) is a front view, (C) is a side view. (A) is a perspective view of a state in which a seat cushion and a backrest are separated, and (B) is a perspective view of a state in which a seat inner shell is separated. (A) is an isolated perspective view, and (B) is a perspective view seen from below. (A) is a perspective view of the main part, and (B) is a plan view of the main part. (A) is a perspective view of a main part, and (B) is a diagram of a wire. (A) is an isolated perspective view of a main part, (B) is a perspective view showing the relationship between an operation member and a relay link body, and (C) is a perspective view of the relay link body. It is a longitudinal side view of a principal part.

(1). Overview Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The present invention is applied to a swivel chair used in an office or the like. First, an outline of the chair will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. The chair has a seat 1, a backrest 2 and a leg device 3. The leg device 3 has five branch rods and a leg strut 4 (gas cylinder), and a caster is provided at the tip of each branch rod.

As shown in FIG. 3, a square base 5 in plan view is fitted to the upper end of the leg support 4 . On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the seat 1 has a structure in which a seat cushion 7 is stretched over a seat inner shell 6 made of synthetic resin and covered with a skin material. It is connected to the seat receiving member) 8. As can be understood from FIG. 3(B), the seat outer shell 8 is formed with a boss portion 8a which has a square shape when viewed from the bottom and which opens downward. Fixed.

A push valve (to be described later) for unlocking projects from the upper end of the leg support 4, and the push valve is pushed down by a forward tilting and rotating pushing member 9 shown in FIG. 3(A), for example. The pushing member 9 is rotatably connected to the seat outer shell 8 . A relay link 11 is horizontally rotatably attached to a portion of the seat outer shell 8 in front of the pushing member 9, and the relay link 11 and the pushing member 9 have balls (to be described later) at both ends. ) are connected by a wire 12 provided with a . The pushing member 9, the wire 12, and the relay link member 11 constitute an interlocking member described in the claims.

As shown in FIG. 3B, one end 13b of the operating belt 13 is engaged with the relay link 11. As shown in FIG. The other end of the operation belt 13 is a pull portion 13a, and the pull portion 13a is exposed downward through an elongated slit hole (through hole) 14 formed in the seat outer shell 8. As shown in FIG. The operating belt 13 is an example of an operating member, and when a handle portion 13a exposed outside the seat outer shell 8 is pulled, the relay link member 11 rotates horizontally to rotate the pushing member 9 downward. As a result, the push valve on the leg strut is pushed down, unlocking the gas cylinder. A pull portion 13a of the operation belt 13 is a ring portion (loop portion).

A forward facing portion 15 is formed integrally with the lower end of the backrest 2, while a metal reinforcing plate (reinforcing metal fitting) 16 extending in the left and right direction is fixed to the rear upper surface of the seat outer shell 8. The backrest 2 is connected to the seat outer shell 8 .

In addition, the rear end of the seat outer shell 8 is integrally formed with a vertically long back support 18 located behind the backrest 2, and the upper end of the back support 18 is provided at the left and right intermediate portions of the backrest 2 and The upper and lower mid-height portions are connected in a state that allows slight front-to-rear rotation.

(2) Means for lifting and lowering the seat
Next, the operation mechanism of the leg support 4 (lifting and lowering operation means of the seat 1) will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 4 and subsequent drawings.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a tapered bush 21 is welded to the intermediate portion of the base 5, and the upper end of the leg support 4 is fitted to the bush 21 from below. As shown in FIG. 3A, upward bank portions 5a are formed at the left and right ends of the base 5, while as shown in FIG. A screw (not shown) is inserted through a hole 23 provided in the downward opening 22 and screwed into the embankment 5 a of the base 5 .

As shown in FIG. 4A, a recess 24 is formed between the left and right downward openings 22, and a push valve 25 is exposed from the upper end of the leg support 4 at the recess 24. .

For example, as shown in FIG. 6(A), the pressing member 9 is formed in a left-right longitudinal direction with an upward convex portion 9a in the left-right intermediate portion and in a convex shape when viewed from the front. While an open bearing groove 26 is formed, horizontal support shafts 27 in which the bearing groove 26 is fitted protrude from the left and right inner side surfaces of the recess 24 .

In this case, the supporting shaft 27 has a prismatic shape instead of a perfect circular shape, and is in an inclined posture so that two vertexes are positioned vertically when viewed from the side. On the other hand, the bearing groove 26 of the pushing member 9 has a constriction so that it is fitted to the support shaft 27 in the obliquely downward posture as viewed from the side, and cannot be removed forward when it is returned to the horizontal posture in the side view. is set to Therefore, the pushing member 9 can be attached to the support shaft 27 easily and in a non-removable manner.

The pushing member 9 rotates downward (rotates forward) with the support shaft 27 as a fulcrum. The front end of the member 9 rests against the upper surface of the push valve 25 . Therefore, when the pushing member 9 rotates downward, the push valve 25 is pushed down and the lock of the leg support 4 is released.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6 , the relay link body 11 is formed in a plate-like, dotaku-like shape that narrows from the base end to the tip end, and the base end portion is projected from the seat outer shell 8 . It is horizontally rotatably connected to the supporting shaft 28 . The relay link body 11 is held by a screw (not shown) on the support shaft 28 so as not to come off. One side of the relay link body 11 sandwiching the rotation axis (the left side as seen from the seated person) and one side of the upward convex portion 9a of the pressing member 9 sandwiching the left-right intermediate position are They are connected by wires 12 having balls 29 attached to both ends as shown in FIG. 5(B).

As can be understood from FIGS. 5A and 6A, a ball hole 30 into which a ball 29 is inserted is formed in the base of the relay link body 11 so as to open upward, and a wire communicating with the ball hole 30 is formed. A routing groove 31 opens from the side to the rear. On the other hand, as can be understood from FIG. 5, in the pressing member 9, the ball hole 30 is opened sideways (to the left), and the wire routing groove 31 is L-shaped in plan view so as to open sideways, upwards, and forwards. is formed in Therefore, the ball 29 is held by the relay link body 11 and the pushing member 9 so as not to come off.

When the pushing member 9 is pulled forward by the wire 12, the pushing member 9 rotates forward. get into This allows forward rotation of the pushing member 9 .

For example, as clearly shown in FIG. 5, an inverted L-shaped locking projection 32 having an upper horizontal portion 32a is integrally formed at the tip (free end) of the relay link body 11. One end 13b of the operating belt 13 is fitted and locked. The operation belt 13 is made of a woven or knitted fabric made of resin thread, and has an eyelet (not shown) fitted to the locking projection 32 at one end 13b. The operation belt 13 is longitudinal in the left and right direction, and the wire 12 is longitudinal in the front and rear direction.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the relay link body 11 is arranged so that the tip is located on the near side, and the tip is inclined in a plan view so as to deviate to the left when viewed from the seated person. Therefore, when the operating belt 13 is pulled by a person's hand, the relay link body 11 horizontally rotates so that the leading end is biased to the right as viewed from the seated person. As a result, the ball hole 30 moves forward and the wire 12 is pulled forward. As a result, the pushing member 9 is tilted forward and the lock of the leg support 4 is released.

The upper horizontal portion 32a of the locking projection 32 is for holding the operation belt 13 so that it does not come off. is holding a state where it cannot escape. As a means for preventing the operation belt 13 from coming off, it is possible to fix a washer to the upper surface of the locking projection 32 with a screw. There is an advantage that it is possible to reliably prevent the belt 13 from coming off while ensuring ease of attachment of the belt 13 .

As described above, the handle portion 13a of the operating belt 13 is pulled out downward from the slit hole 14 formed in the side end portion of the seat outer shell 8, which can be understood from FIGS. 4(A) and 5(A). The lower surface of the slit hole 14 is curved so that the operation belt 13 can be pulled smoothly. Since the operation belt 13 can be pulled upward, the upper surface of the slit hole 14 is also formed to be curved.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the seat outer shell 8 is shaped like a container that opens upward, and has a large number of ribs 33 extending in the front, rear, left, and right directions. Left and right long ribs and front and rear long ribs 33 are also positioned downward. Therefore, the operation belt 13 is held on the ribs 33 so as not to bend excessively. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the reinforcing plate 16 is provided with relief holes 34 for preventing interference with the pushing member 9 .

(3) Summary As already described, in this embodiment, when the operating belt 13 is pulled, the leg support 4 is unlocked and the height of the seat 1 can be adjusted. In this case, the handle portion 13a of the operation belt 13 may be pulled upward, or the handle portion 13a may be pushed downward (because the operation belt 13 is pulled even if it is pushed downward, the operation belt 13 is pulled). It doesn't matter.). Since the height adjustment of the seat 1 is often performed in a state in which the waist is lifted, it may be easier for some people to push down the pull portion 13a of the operating belt 13. As shown in FIG.

The operation belt 13 may be operated by inserting the fingertip into the ring of the handle portion 13a, or by grasping the handle portion 13a. Since the handle portion 13a of the operation belt 13 is a ring and has a large volume, it is easy to grasp and operate.

The leg support 4 is generally arranged in the front-rear middle portion or slightly behind the seat 1 in many cases, while the operation belt 13 is arranged in the front portion so that the seated person can easily operate it. In this case, it is possible to pull the pushing member 9 directly by the operating belt 13, but in this case, in order to prevent the twisting and catching of the operating belt 13 and rotate the pushing member 9 smoothly, Design can be cumbersome.

On the other hand, if the horizontally rotatable relay link member 11 is used as in the embodiment, the operation belt 13 is simply tensioned in its longitudinal direction, so that the pushing member 9 can be operated accurately. can be done. Therefore, use of the relay link body 11 is suitable for carrying out the present invention.

As in the embodiment, if a method of fitting the pushing member 9 onto the support shaft 27 is employed as the mounting means, the mounting can be performed very easily. In addition, the bearing groove 26 is fitted into the support shaft 27 from the front side, and therefore, as described above, it can be easily installed in a state where it cannot be pulled out.

When the operating belt 13 is employed as the operating member, the thickness and width can be set arbitrarily. Further, instead of using the operation belt 13, the operation member may be formed in the shape of a round string using a string woven with resin thread or the like. Whether it is the operation belt 13 or the round string, it is also possible to form the whole into a loop structure.

Furthermore, a belt knitted (woven) with thin metal threads can also be used as the operating member. It is also possible to attach a resin or metal ring or bar to the other end of the operating belt. Alternatively, it is possible to attach a ball body as a handle to the other end of the operating member so that it can be firmly grasped by hand. It is also possible to attach a mascot doll or the like as a handle.

The present invention can be embodied in a chair. Therefore, it can be used industrially.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 seat 4 leg post made of gas cylinder 5 base 7 seat inner shell 8 seat outer shell as an example of a seat receiving member 9 pushing member constituting an interlocking member 11 relay link body constituting an interlocking member 12 constituting an interlocking member wire 13 operation belt as an example of an operation member 13a handle portion (other end portion) of the operation belt
13b One end of operation belt 14 Slit hole (through hole) through which operation belt is pulled out
16 reinforcing plate

Claims (3)

A base fixed to the upper end of a leg strut comprising a gas cylinder, a seat outer shell fixed to the base, a seat provided with a seat inner shell supported by the seat outer shell, and unlocking of the gas cylinder. and an operating means for
The operation means includes a bendable belt-like operation member having a handle portion exposed to the outside of the seat outer shell, and an interlocking member that unlocks the gas cylinder by pulling the operation member. cage,
A portion of the operating member excluding the handle portion is disposed between the seat inner shell and the seat outer shell, and the handle portion is drawn out from a through hole provided in the seat outer shell. a chair with
In the seat outer shell, as the interlocking member, a vertically rotatable pushing member for pushing the push valve of the leg support and a relay link body horizontally rotatable on the upper surface of the seat outer shell are arranged. the relay link body and the pushing member are connected by a wire so that the pushing member pushes the push valve when the relay link body is horizontally rotated in one direction,
In addition, the operation member and the wire are in a crossed posture in a plan view, and the relay link body and the operation member are arranged so that the relay link body rotates in one direction when the operation member is pulled. concatenated,
Chair. The operating member is formed into a strap from a flexible woven or knitted fabric,
A chair as claimed in claim 1. The handle portion of the operating member is formed into a ring portion into which a person can insert his or her hand.
A chair according to claim 1 or 2.

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